Hudgins was a contract employee at the college and her body was discovered about 9 a.m. Following the college's protocol, the campus on Cedar Bluff Road was closed to students and most staff pending completion of the investigation, according to a news release from Cherokee County Sheriff Jeff Shaver and Centre Mayor Tony Wilkie.

Investigators from the Centre Police Department, sheriff's office, Alabama Bureau of Investigation, district attorney's office and the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences were on the campus most of the day Wednesday, conducting a joint investigation, Shaver said.

The investigation is in the early stages and Shaver said more information will be released as it becomes available.

<p>An investigation is under way at the Cherokee campus of <a href="http://www.gadsdentimes.com/section/TOPIC0201/"><b>Gadsden State</b></a> Community College in Centre after a woman's body was found there Wednesday morning.</p><p>Cherokee County Sheriff Jeff Shaver and Centre Police Chief Kirk Blankenship identified the woman as Melissa Leann Hudgins, 32, of Cedar Bluff.</p><p>Hudgins was a contract employee at the college and her body was discovered about 9 a.m. Following the college's protocol, the campus on Cedar Bluff Road was closed to students and most staff pending completion of the investigation, according to a news release from Cherokee County Sheriff Jeff Shaver and Centre Mayor Tony Wilkie.</p><p>Investigators from the Centre Police Department, sheriff's office, Alabama Bureau of Investigation, district attorney's office and the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences were on the campus most of the day Wednesday, conducting a joint investigation, Shaver said.</p><p>The investigation is in the early stages and Shaver said more information will be released as it becomes available.</p>
<p class="italic font120">Investigation continues into death at Gadsden State's Cherokee campus</p>